Full-scale emergency drill, ‘Operation Derecho,’ set for Sunday

New Jersey's military and police forces will participate in a full-scale emergency drill Sunday afternoon to prepare rescue workers in the event of devastating wind storms.

(Massoud Hossaini, Getty Images)

Rescue equipment including Black Hawk helicopters and K-9 units will assist in emergency response drills in the area of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst around 1 p.m., according to the Attorney General's Office. "Operation Derecho" will take place in and around a wooded area near Fort Dix Range 59E in Manchester, authorities said.

"Here’s the scenario: New Jersey has been impacted by a devastating straight-line wind storm called a derecho. The State Urban Search and Rescue Task Force, New Jersey Task Force One (NJ-TF1) is activated and will work with the New Jersey Army National Guard to transport personnel and equipment using Black Hawk helicopters in real time as well as the search and rescue of victims trapped in rubble and confined spaces. K9s will be brought out to assist in search operations," the Attorney General's Office explained in a press statement.

As the scenario unfolds, emergency personnel will use various pieces of equipment as well as K-9 units to perform several live search and rescue demonstrations. In addition, the Attorney General's Office explained that "Black Hawk helicopters will be transporting multiple teams of soldiers and NJ-TF1 members while displaying landing and take-off maneuvers. Multiple teams of soldiers and NJ-TF1 members will be performing search operations."

The emergency drill is expected to last until about 4 p.m. and residents of the area may notice Black Hawk helicopters as well as emergency and military vehicles in the vicinity.

Toniann Antonelli is a social content producer for NJ 101.5. She can be reached at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.